U.s. Team To Send Its Best (davenport) Vs. Belgium

January 21, 2005|By Michael Russo Staff Writer

DELRAY BEACH — Lindsay Davenport, the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world, will be on the court for the United States when it hosts Belgium in a Fed Cup quarterfinal at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on April 23-24.

U.S. Fed Cup captain Zina Garrison says she'll be targeting the three other Americans ranked in the top 10 -- Serena Williams (7), her sister Venus (9) and Jennifer Capriati (10) -- to round out the four-player team that would be seeking the United States' record 18th title.

"I am very excited Lindsay has committed," Garrison said Thursday from her home in Houston. "Lindsay has been a true leader on and off the court; she's shown that in how she's been a champion, and she's looking forward to bringing the Cup back to the U.S.

"I have also put out [overtures] to Serena, Venus and Jennifer, and they've all been responsive."

Belgium boasts two elite players in Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne, but Clijsters is out with a left wrist injury and Henin-Hardenne is out with a right knee injury. It is uncertain whether Clijsters and/or Henin-Hardenne will be able to compete in Delray Beach.

If they do, and if the Williams sisters and Capriati join Davenport (28-2 in Fed Cup play) on the U.S. team, the quarterfinal would feature six former No. 1-ranked players.

"That would truly be amazing," Garrison said, "but Belgium has a lot of good, young juniors, too. So I don't care if they come or don't come. It's still going to be tough."

Serena Williams, who was mentored by Garrison when she first got onto the WTA Tour, expressed interest in playing in the Fed Cup earlier this week. "I really want to play for Zina," she said.

When told the quarterfinal was in Delray, Williams, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, said, "That's perfect. It doesn't get better than that."

Venus Williams said Thursday at the Australian Open that she planned to get in touch with Garrison. "I had a commitment before, but now I don't. I just found out this morning," Venus said. "So I'm really excited."

If the Williams sisters both play, they'd likely play doubles, which means Martina Navratilova, the 12th-ranked doubles player, would be left out.

"Martina is one of the best doubles players in the world, but I haven't had a chance to catch up with her," Garrison said. "I'm not throwing out anybody, though."

Garrison is expected to announce the team in mid-February.

If the United States defeats Belgium, it would play the winner of Russia vs. Italy in the semifinals in July.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. and range from $35 to $225 for both days of competition and can be purchased by calling 888-334-USTA.